David Essex's first notable acting role was the lead in the stage musical, Godspell in 1971. Two years later, he starred in the film That'll Be The Day (1973) and recorded a major hit single, "Rock On" (which he wrote himself), in the same year. A second single, "Lamplight", also reached the British Top 10.In the 1970s, Essex emerged as one of the UK's top performers. His biggest hits during this decade included a pair of Number One singles : "Gonna Make You A Star" (1974)Read Full BioDavid Essex's first notable acting role was the lead in the stage musical, Godspell in 1971. Two years later, he starred in the film That'll Be The Day (1973) and recorded a major hit single, "Rock On" (which he wrote himself), in the same year. A second single, "Lamplight", also reached the British Top 10.In the 1970s, Essex emerged as one of the UK's top performers. His biggest hits during this decade included a pair of Number One singles : "Gonna Make You A Star" (1974), a satirical look at his success; and "Hold Me Close" (1975), a cheerful singalong. He also appeared in Stardust, a 1974 sequel to That'll Be The Day; the title song was another Top 10 hit. In 1976, Essex covered the Beatles song, “Yesterday”, for the musical documentary All This and World War II.Essex's pop idol looks gave him a strong female fan base and his British tours created scenes of hysteria reminiscent of Beatlemania. According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 16th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-190-X 'he was voted the number one British male vocalist in 1974, and was a teen idol for more than a decade'.In 1978, he appeared on Jeff Wayne's concept album, a musical version of The War of the Worlds, as the Artilleryman. The two album set remains a bestseller.In the same year, Essex played the character Che, loosely based on Che Guevara, in the original production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita, and his recording of the show's "Oh What a Circus" reached Number 3. Two years later, he starred in the film Silver Dream Racer; and the soundtrack song "Silver Dream Machine" was yet another Top 10 hit in the UK singles chart. In 1985, he wrote and starred as Fletcher Christian in the West End musical Mutiny!, based on the novel Mutiny on the Bounty by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall. The score produced two more hit singles, including "Tahiti," his tenth Top 10 success.Essex has continued to perform in all areas of show business, to varying degrees of success. A 1989 sitcom, "The River", achieved good ratings. In 1991, a compilation entitled His Greatest Hits reached Number 13; a 1993 album, Cover Shot, peaked at Number 3. His autobiography, A Charmed Life, was published in 2002, and became a bestseller.In 1999, Essex was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. He still tours the UK on a yearly basis and releases albums through his website. Surprisingly, despite his long and thriving British career, he remains largely unknown in the United States. "Rock On" reached Number 5 in 1974, and was his only Billboard Top 40 hit single.The grandson of an Irish Traveller, Essex told Jake Bowers of the BBC's Rokker Radio, a programme for Gypsies and Travellers, on 30th July 2006, that he has always been openly proud of his Traveller roots, but that having moved to the US, Essex has said he feels it inappropriate for him to continue as Patron of Britain's National Gypsy Council, which works for equal rights, education, and services for Romany and Irish Travellers.In 2005, he appeared as a guest vocalist on Saint Etienne's album Tales from Turnpike House. Also that year, he appeared in the Channel 4 documentary Bring Back...The Christmas Number One.Essex was due to join the cast of soap opera EastEnders, in early 2006, as new character Jack Edwards. However, the role was expanded beyond the three weeks planned, and Essex was unable to commit the time. The role instead went to Nicky Henson.A model and recording of Essex is featured in the museum of West Ham United Football Club. In the recording, he explains his reasons for supporting West Ham and his love of the team. He remains a popular, hard working and respected star, who has nevertheless not achieved a more global presence.

Hey shout, summertime blues
Jump up and down in my blue suede shoes
Hey, did you rock and roll, rock on

And where do we go from here?
Which is a way that's clear

Still looking for that blue jean, baby queen
Prettiest girl I ever seen
See her shake on the movie screen, Jimmy Dean
(James Dean)

And where do we go from here?
Which is a way that's clear

Still looking for that blue jean, baby queen
Prettiest girl I ever seen
See her shake on the movie screen, Jimmy Dean
(Jimmy Dean)

Rock on
Rock on
Rock on (hey, kid, rock and roll)
Rock on
Rock on (hey, kid, rock and roll)
Rock on
Rock on (hey, kid, rock and roll)
Rock on
Rock on (hey, kid, rock and roll)
Rock on
Rock on (hey, kid, rock and roll)
Rock on
Rock on (hey, kid, rock and roll)
Rock on
Rock on (hey, kid, rock and roll)
Rock on

Susan Donahue

High school... 70s ... .. an amazing time to be alive.🌹🌿I’d give up every iota of tech .. to get back there. These kids don’t know what they’re missing ... so sad.

gun Central

1w

Bro I'm 14 listening to this shit for a while

thundrrd5

5w

@Sheepdog actual Oh my god, really? Your best comment is "figures a guy like you joins the Navy ..." this is after you had figured I spit on soldiers returning from Vietnam ... why don't you stop trying to figure out other people and just focus on your own shit?

DestructoDot

5w

@Karen Wilcox this song is about sex lmao haha 6969

Karen Wilcox

5w↑1

I remember riding the bus and listening to the music on the bus. I hear you Sarah

Sheepdog actual

5w

@thundrrd5 Go figure a guy like you joins the Navy. #goarmy

37 More Replies...

Todosa SSD

1y↑97

We used to sing this on the school bus in junior high, and other early 70's hits! Had a cool bus driver, as long as we stayed in our seats and didn't holler or curse, we could sing all we wanted to!

Karen Wilcox

5w

Ditto

James Mottley

6w

School buses nowaday require seatbelts in attempt to address numerous self-control disorders. Our school bus driver used to swing by the beach on the after school route so we could check out the surf conditions.

Shawn Whiteman

6w

Haha

sean pitts

30w↑1

That's because you had a professional driver that was looking out for your safety..

TheAudivisioner

39w↑56

The greasers met with the psychedelics.And this was the result.

Norman Cook

31w↑69

The beat - like a panther stalking through the jungle

Jennifer Hartranft

29w↑4

Norman Cook Yup!

Susan Curd

38w↑56

... see her Shake on the movie screen Jimmy Dean, James Dean. The 70s were awesome so glad I was there!!! Rock on all you Rockers!

Please give Little Rock, AR another chance...

3w

Glad I was too!

Please give Little Rock, AR another chance...

3w

Me too

gary jamespon

5w

@DestructoDot his post sounded like it was written by a 12 year old

DestructoDot

5w↑1

Theyre referring to porn, bud

BROKEN ARROW

7w↑7

I always thought this was a late 80's song. Very innovative for 1973.

Logan

2w↑1

@Kevy Nova Nice blue background

Kevy Nova

4w↑1

BROKEN ARROW nice Bennington Battle flag.

Joshua Bewig

8w↑8

Suddenly wanted to hear this song - don't think I've heard it in about 20 years. I've listened to it 5 times in a row, so far.

Chrissy Vanderbilt

8w↑1

Current same!

Kevin Chasse

10w↑18

Ah the seventies I can smell and taste them.

Jim Sewell

3w

Oh man, don't taste them. Do you know where they've been?

William Wellington

38w↑30

46yrs later and it still sounds like its just released..........

paulph12002

28w↑26

Rock On was David Essex's first single in 1973. For the time it was an innovative and unusual song, and I don't think he ever bettered it.

gary jamespon

4w

One hit wonder

I'm Happy So Why Aren't you?.

20w↑18

I was born in '86 and today was the first time I heard this song and I will tell you it definitely won't be the last!. Just a really cool song so I thank you Mr. Essex!. 🙏🏻🍻

John Erwin

11w

LOT of stuff don't hear no more, glad U found it-

Jessica Nicole

34w↑26

I heard this songs as A very little girl my dad would listen to it a lot when he drank and for some reason it was favorite my one, I can’t believe I found the song my brain for some reason had a flash back of this beat and I had a very hard time remembering the lyrics but I did 😂

Christopher94582

7w↑6

This was originally released in quadraphonic (four seperate channels) it had dynamics embedded that were just off the hook! Incredible stuff!

Debbie Scott

5w

I wouldn't know that. All I had was a Am transistor radio. I heard the voices but not much of the individual instruments. But I still loved my 70's music. ♥️👍

mike

1y↑33

Devils rejects ..

Frightful Dog5

2w↑1

Charlie’s funhouse

Gregory Davis

10w

@jonh moe it was okay

Sue Grayeski

14w↑2

Kiki Palms Motel and Frontier Town!

phencyclidine smokin

35w↑2

Jonh moe best movie of the year

jonh moe

44w↑6

mike Can’t wait for 3 from Hell

MZ ZM

5w↑2

Every piece of music has a different meaning to different peplle,always remember that. Excellent classic.

Roux

5w

That's such a sharp and interesting observation!

Dyn Jarren

19w↑12

This song sounds incredible when you wear headphones 🎧! You can hear the bass line pan across from left to right in stereo! And the drums. I remember being impressed with the sound mix back then. It sounds so clean! Still a great song and mix!

jonh moe

44w↑15

I was born in 1989 but I’m definitely an old soul, love my 60s 70s early 80s Rock

Susan Curd

37w↑1

Then ROCK ON, young blood!!! John Moe

A Smash Brother

40w

jonh moe Interesting fact. Michael Damian did a cover of this song on the year you were born.

Stephen Thomas

30w↑1

Someone mentioned James Dean today and then I remembered this song. Hadn't thought of it in ages. Always loved the production on it.

Dragoş Dragomir

1y↑19

Simple rithm, amazing interpretation.I like how real it sounds!

Jared Rangel

1y↑15

He wrote this song to be at the end of the movie "That'll Be The Day" in 1973.

Jehovah Lucifer

1y

Jared Rangel I don't believe you.

Michael Seth

1y

Jared Rangel that's incredible to know! Thanks for the info.

Luisa Utley

7w↑3

One if the best i can remember going on school tyips and this was the song we would sing aling with many others.....life love friends rock on!

Heather S

1w

Oh I love this song I'm like hey no cavities rock on still looking for those disclosure tablet s is my Version of the song.

K Groux

1w

Loved this when it first came out...It seems timeless sometimes. I can listen to this and just rock on...

TribeFan 12

16w↑4

I really think that Harry Styles should cover this song! Especially with his amazing band. For some reason I can just hear him singing it!

Larry Smith

1y↑8

Always Loved this Song.Big Hit on the Radio in Canada.

Dee Harris

4w

I'm still rockin this after all these years. "20"

Mary Eagle

2w

Who's come here when listened to Gyllene tider's version?

fieldagent59 is in the forest

7w↑3

whoever produced and or engineered this in the 70's was a genius and light years ahead of their time....... might be the best sounding bass track of all time....

Katherine Mooney

6w↑1

The good ole days! I so remember this song! I think it was in 72

David Irby

37w↑1

Love this original and Mike Damien's cover.

z3dsdead

1y↑12

Such a great sound. Every time I hear this on the radio I have it repeating in my head for ages, yet until just today I never knew who did it. Seeing the comment that it was to be used all the way back in 73 floors me. I expected while reading the comments some might be interesting, which a couple were, the rest were completely unrelated and may as well been left for frog food ads or some equally non pertinent bs.

Linda Bakmaz

4w

I bought this single when I was 13. My brother had four speakers connected to his stereo, and he begrudgingly allowed me to play it. Even he thought it sounded cool. I hope you found this interesting.

Robert Hurst

1y↑10

This was one of the well known tunes on the jukebox at The Old Church bar in Dallas in the 70s! A great memory! #RockOn

Chris Bullock

7d

This a song you need to be driving a lowered 1965 Impala, you're getting on the Don Valley Parkway headed for Downtown Toronto. The buildings and CN Tower peak through the green valley as the sun sets through the puffy clouds, creating an orange hue. Its ominous and beautiful.

trevour

6w

I got to hear this live... but only when the Smashing Pumpkins covered it when I saw 'em in 2000. It's a solid cover!

Bruce Donnellan

1y↑4

The simple sound of this song takes me back to my younger years. The echo.

Derek Pacheco

7w↑1

I want some breakfast sausage patties

TJ Something

35w↑17

2019??

Tess O'Shea

33w

TJ Something...Me!! Me!!

Cosi

34w

Abnormal music group on facebook cuz i didn't knew this cool thing

ikarooz

12w

"up........down"

Databyter

4w

Wow. another case where I interpreted lyrics differently and I just now realized I have been wrong all these years. In my mind it was "see her shake her boobies clean" I never got movie screen out of that. Still like my version better, although I must admit the James Dean reference makes more sense now. I was sorta shocked they would say that in a song, but I thought it was cool and it would get me day dreamin .. Cool song. Databyter

Philip Adams

10w

A truly unique record - a rock & roll song without any guitar (except bass). Love this one!

David Leland

1y↑5

Cool song from a long time ago! Dig it!

CheersMCmeow

37w↑3

This song will always remind me of those shrooms I ate and wow you wouldn’t believe the pictures you see in your head from this song

Dave Roberts

20w↑3

The great man of the 70s David Essex. He was and still is the best music of British music. And he sounds great Still. And I would like to see him.

Laurie Gadd-McCabe

9w↑1

Back in the day we knew was good music was. We rocked

John Bostick

1w

Oh The Memories....

Knocker's Garage

38w↑4

Grandfather gave me a 17000 mile garage kept 79'Buick Electra limited coupe. Spent 4 hours before prom waxing and buffing chrome. Pulled in the country club with this blasting. Stolen bottle of Crown and a ounce of creeper and a 23 year old single mom as my date. LMFAO the good ol days.

Clarence T. Nelson

8w↑1

He wrote this song to be at the end of the movie "That'll Be The Day" in 1973.Always Loved this Song.Big Hit on the Radio in Canada.

Sonya Lewis

11w

💞👍Love this song. Its got great beats.

Kirka Kirkata

25w

Sounds on parts like We turn red by RHCP.

Mary Kidd

1y

Love this song Borat "sexy time"

the king

2y↑10

A good East Ender just like myself. Rock on 👍👍

Amadeus Wolfe

39w↑2

LOVE THIS TUNE!!

Exercise&Relax

42w↑5

You can hear The Beatles "Come Together" in the DNA of this song. A very creative and unique sound. Wonder if this was the first use of downtuned bass on a popular song?

Mr Mee Seeks

12w

Sick Analysis

Johnny Fever

20w

Exercise&Relax “Angry Eyes” by Loggins and Messina was released in 1972 and that featured a tuned down bass. I’m sure there are others but that one comes to mind.

Iceman3000

39w

No you can’t

TheAudivisioner

39w↑1

Fender made a five string bass off and on.Still had to go to the custom makers to have a five string bass made.Then, there was getting the strings for them.

keith clegg

10w

i must say,have not heard in many years,wow.so good on earphones

Malvin Mainwaring

8w↑1

Sounds great still today

J Bro

27w↑3

Childhood. 70s. Nextdoor neighbors would always blast this out their window whenever they barbecued. Good memories!

instructme

14w

Thinkyouknowmusic on Twitter brought me here.

N8 gixx6 Smith

23w↑2

my grandmother's everlasting influence of music. born in 92 and I can tell you exactly who wrote Layla which would be Mr Clapton I can also tell you he wrote it for George Harrison's wife. patty (Harrison) Boyd. I can also tell you that it became a collaboration between the alman brothers the 7 chord progression at the bugging was created by Clapton but perfected by (I believe Chet Allman that might not be his name but something close to that lol. most people my age have no idea who Essex or the Allman Brothers or hell even who Clapton is anymore. not me this generation had the best music.

Paul Shotter

13w

David Essex rock on remember hearing this song growing up classic glam rock music good stuff

AllRequired

11w

There were some truly beautiful covers of this track. Others... not so much.

Samuel Mauldin

1y↑3

The weird thing about this song is that the title is also a cheat to Age of Empires 2

Triton Ogletree

1y↑5

Headphones...

Sin Sanity

2w

Quite possibly my favorite song.

Rob Jones

6w

David's homage to the late great Billy Fury.

Hard to believe this track was a major hit in1973, it is very avant-garde in its' approach.1973 also saw songs like "Pyjamarama" and "Life On Mars" placed highly in the charts.The same goes for The Who and The Rolling Stones with "5.15" and "Angie".

Back then, it was quality over quantity.

Som nambulants

8w↑3

This songs so smooth oil couldn't even say something slick.

Fred Johnston

4w

Still here!

Fred Johnston

4w

Still here!

Rick Widlund

10w↑1

Crank it up. !

David Bass

11w↑1

Hey kid rock and roll rock on ...💗

Dave Spence

13w

Just sick X: )

Harmony Davis

49w↑2

brings back memories

* 0

2w

<3

FreeKing Awwsome

38w↑2

9-00-19 FreeKing Awwsome

Politeness Poppin

11w↑1

This band sound like they walked outta the 70’s. Called GLITTER DOGS.https://youtu.be/3KRDRXCPZR83 albums on Spotify. Good old school melodic rock. Enjoy!!

Bernie Klein

18w

A good and most memorable time of bell bottoms , platform shoes silk shirts, kool chicks with happy feet to boogie in . My Fav. Thank you David Essex.

Cee Tee

1y↑3

As a kid growing up in New Canaan Connecticut me and my buddies little brother - Paul Schott - LOVED this song - If I recall friend Steve didn’t - come on Steve , it’s never too late ! Put it on and CRANK IT !!!!

SIRA HATTAM

1y

Marion Cortillard’s Lady Dior ad brought me here.

Sue Grayeski

14w

Every time I hear this song I go right back to Summer afternoons in the 70's.

Iceman3000

steve charette

Jennifer Hartranft

John Bryant

canuck

I love the timing and the delivery of this song to drums and violin only I think. Wow I love it. Don't recall ever hearing it before.

Jacqueline Scott

48w↑1

Dont forget the bongos

LobotomyMeat

51w↑1

wow....deep lyrics

LobotomyMeat

51w↑1

there's also viola, bass, and horns.

Music Momma

11w↑1

This is my daughter's favorite song..she just turned 30 today I played it for her birthday..all of us broke out dancing lol

becky mcshannon

3w

Wow What a blast from the past! What young gal didn't want to be the Blue Jean Baby Queen for her special guy?...💙🎶

David Rojcewicz

10w

Spirit of 76

Bleikr Sound

46w↑5

Maybe one of the first 'Alternative' rock songs.

William Corgile

37w↑3

Nice atmosphere.

Usnak

49w↑1

2:15 woah

Gary Hosty

13w

er...is the speed right ??

Daniel Dimino

52w↑2

Jump up n down in my blue suede shoes

Linda Smith

1y↑2

Fantastic!

Perfect Stranger

1y↑1

7772019👁️❣️👁️🤘☝️👏🏼🇨🇷🇨🇷

Cindy Dufala

13w

Bravo ⚘

Raul Martinez

37w↑2

Great times, & great memories, 1973-74 , NYC, Chelsea Voc. H.S. We sure did have the best music. I’d give anything to go back to those days.

StrangeWays

1y↑11

They don't write songs like this anymore!

Jehovah Lucifer

1y

Cee Tee You're an idiot.

Cee Tee

1y↑2

Because Variety is the spice of life. Music today has become homogenous

Jehovah Lucifer

1y

StrangeWays I couldn't imagine why we still would. Times change, including music.

Cee Tee

1y↑1

If they did , no record deal emerges - I agree , back then anything that sounded good - no matter what genre got airtime

Joshua Bewig

8w↑1

Anthem.

Tim Kramar

8w↑1

It was covered by a Michael somebody. Not Bolton. I think the guy was an actor primarily.

Tim Kramar

6w

Damian.

Jokerhaha5

47w↑3

This song reminds me of getting my ass kicked by my stepdad when I was 7. He would always play this song loud on the stereo when my mom left and I knew it was going to be bad

scott brigner

7w↑1

You should pull up to his house blaring this then get out and stomp a mud hole in his ass!

Gordon Nelson

35w↑1

Where is your step dad now. I'll take care of business for you.

Salamander33

41w

In other words, he went all "JOE JACKSON" on your ass , huh.

TheHeraclion

1y↑1

Love this song wish a was back then

konrd christensen

34w↑1

I had a friend who was a pretty successful oval racer. His street car had been a 6 cyl mustang that he dropped a big block in. Completely redid suspension and frame to handle that beast of a motor but the car was not balanced. So he had bags of sand for ballast all through the vehicle. When he would give us a ride he would move the sand around. Anyway he always seemed to have this song blasting on his 8 track while we power slid on the corners on empty roads. That boy could really drive and this song made it better. I am going to youtube the chase scene from Bullitt muted and play this song at the same time in another window. Memories...